RANK #676 / 996 · POP 65,484 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%
Tehama County, located in Northern California, is bisected by the Sacramento River and known for its "western" feel and agricultural heritage. Red Bluff, the county seat, hosts the annual Red Bluff Round-Up rodeo, a significant local event. The county is about 135 miles north of Sacramento, with a typical commute time of around 23 minutes. Residents enjoy extensive outdoor recreation, including fishing and kayaking on the Sacramento River, which is a major salmon spawning river. Black Butte Lake offers opportunities for boating, swimming, and hiking, while parts of Lassen Volcanic National Park provide volcanic landscapes and trails.
Life in Tehama County is characterized by a strong sense of community and a lower cost of living compared to the California average, attracting families, retirees, and remote workers. The economy is largely driven by agriculture, with significant production of almonds, walnuts, and olives, alongside ranching and timber. The agribusiness sector provides local jobs through processing and packing. Additionally, the county sees economic activity in manufacturing, including wood products, and a growing healthcare sector. Public schools in the county are rated as above average.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mandorla Solar Project
Undisclosed
|
$103M | Planned |
|
Tehama County Broadband Network
Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA)
|
$75M | Proposed |
|
Tehama County Microgrid Project
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Tehama County has a Boom Town Index score of 32/100, ranking #676 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $59,029, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Tehama County is $290,400 with median rent at $1,119/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2033, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed +1.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.26% of Tehama County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.